Re:Construction

Bishop & Taylor discuss the latest scary news from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the rise of HVO fuel and the deep pockets of modular house-builders.

Bishop & Taylor discuss recent judgments from Mr Justice Holgate, one supporting the government’s roads programme and one blocking its Stonehenge tunnel plans. They also discuss whether 3D printing is just slow slipforming without formwork.

Helena Russell, author of Cleveland Bridge: 125 Years of History , joins Bishop & Taylor to discuss the company seeking rescue from administration. Also discussed in this episode are the music of the Golden Gate Bridge and the pings of the Covid app.

With it being Net Zero Week, Bishop & Taylor discuss an industry initiative for measuring progress in the built environment. And as fans of a good hardware store, they return to the topic of builders’ merchants.

With ‘freedom day’ approaching, Bishop & Taylor discuss what it means for the construction industry. They also mull the decarbonisation of road transport and the shortage of truck drivers.  

Bishop & Taylor discuss the Building Safety Bill (which had its first reading in the Commons this week), Willmott Dixon’s reconstruction of what used be known as Colston Hall, and seemingly magic concrete that repairs itself.

Callum Mackintosh, president of the Scottish Plant Owners Association, joins Bishop & Taylor to discuss challenges facing the plant hire sector. But first our regular hosts briefly revisit flexible working and discuss why costs have risen on a Norfolk road project.

Bishop & Taylor are re-joined by Emma Stewart of Timewise (previously heard in episode 42)  to discuss the results of the Build UK-sponsored study into flexible working on construction sites.

Bishop & Taylor discuss B3W (‘Build Back Better World’), the G7’s plan to counter China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). They also talk about the growing prominence (at least in their email inboxes) of Italian contractor Webuild; and they return to the topic of Scottish timber production.

Bishop has had a tour of the HS2 Chilterns Tunnel south portal site, Taylor has been watching TV; they chat about their findings. They also discuss leisure centre design shortcomings. Plus: What not to say in a press release.

As the Construction Industry Training Board starts its three-yearly consultation with the industry to ascertain whether there remains consensus for the statutory training levy, CITB policy director Steve Radley tells Bishop & Taylor why we still need it.

A trio of technical topics appeal to Bishop & Taylor this week, namely zero trim piling, asbestos recycling and reuse of concrete components. They also return to the familiar topics of flexible working and office life.

Diversity is in the air this week as Bishop & Taylor discuss inflation, project bank accounts, concrete batteries and a report from Arup titled ‘Queering Public Space’.

In the week that Her Majesty revealed the government’s legislative programme for the forthcoming parliamentary session, Bishop & Taylor find much to chew over, from planning to political process. They also discuss whether it is possible to choose bio-methane (answer: no) and how estate agents market unloved 60s’ buildings.

Bishop & Taylor cast an eye on the wonderful world of wood. They also note the inability (or reluctance?) of construction workers to save for their old age, and express disdain for surveys confected to promote vested interests.

Bishop & Taylor are joined by acclaimed folk musician Nancy Kerr to talk about her latest work, Tunnellers , and by Dr Benoît Jones, the man from the British Tunnelling Society who commissioned the work. But first they talk to Daren Lester, chief executive of SpecifiedBy, and hear that the proposed Code for Construction Product Information might not be a good idea.

Acquisitions have been in the news, with new owners for Avant Homes and Kier Living, while RSK’s ‘buy to grow’ strategy shows no sign of slowing. Bishop & Taylor discuss this and more, including steel imports and the latest on smart motorways.

Bishop & Taylor (middle-aged pink-faced men) tentatively discuss boardroom diversity. They also mull possible reform of the National Infrastructure Commission. And they talk to Jonathan Townsend, Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust.

A revelatory discussion with construction law barrister Professor Rudi Klein, who has championed the interests of subcontractors for more than 30 years, with some heroic successes along the way. Among topics covered are the use and abuse of project bank accounts to protect money owed to suppliers.

After a brief recap of some of the week’s UK industry news, Bishop & Taylor turn their attention to the rescue of the stranded EverGiven container ship. They also discuss recruiting in prisons to counter labour shortages.  

Bishop & Taylor are joined by Peter Lauerner, chair of the Construction Industry Training Board, who explains why the CITB has decided to keep two of its training centres after all. They also celebrate the Court of Appeal judgment quashing the 47-year-old convictions against striking builders. And they ask expert witness Jacqui Bishop: after a year of working from home, what have we learned?

Surveys and reports from Redrow, the CITB and the Construction Leadership Council provide food for thought on construction recruitment and training. Bishop & Taylor discuss some of the issues arising. There’s also news from HS2 of an unlikely replacement for rebar.

In a bumper episode, Bishop & Taylor discuss aspirations for a fixed link between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, the social value of construction, aspects of fire safety left neglected amid the cladding scandal, and Doosan’s transparent loading shovel.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his post-Covid budget for the UK this week, giving Bishop & Taylor plenty to chat about. They also discuss Interserve’s branding U-turn.

Bishop & Taylor get their teeth into issues of direct employment, senior recruitment and meaningless, obtuse and/or imprecise jargon.